Vanderhoef Vetoes Most of Legislature’s Budget Amendments

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef today vetoed most of the budget amendments made by the county legislature. He went along with the legislature’s reinstatement of the mosquito control program and the Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol and Patrol Officers. His vetoes were delivered to the legislature at about 4:30 p.m.

Speaking outside the county office building, Vanderhoef said the changes did not make sense and that is why he vetoed them.

“Because they literally, they didn’t add up,” he said. “We believe we had a very difficult time with the amendments they made in terms of running government. So it’s more complicated than that but that’s the simple explanation.”

Vanderhoef noted he agreed with the restoration of the sheriff’s officers because that department had further reduced overtime and relief in its discussions with the legislature. His vetoes do not change the proposed 18.4 percent tax increase in the 2013 budget. 

Vanderhoef’s vetoes once again eliminated the jobs of county security employees, food service workers at the jail and the laundry and radiology departments at Summit Park. His original budget proposal called for the security and food service to be outsourced to a private contractor to save money. An exact number of positions to be cut was not readily available.

The legislature has until Thursday, Dec. 20 to override Vanderhoef’s vetoes. A vote of at least 12 of the 17 legislators is required for an override.

In prepared remarks directed to the legislators, Vanderhoef said, “I share and respect your desire to protect the public health and safety of our residents and hope you will show similar deference to me when it comes to the other changes to the county budget which I have vetoed. Rockland residents want a smaller, more efficient government that provides essential services during these difficult times.”

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